South Korea as a Liberal Democratic Torchbearer: The Question of Why and How

By Kil Joo Ban [Research Professor, Ilmin International Relations Institute at Korea University]

▶ Does the World need a liberal democratic torchbearer? Is South Korea willing and capable enough to serve as a torchbearer? If then, how?

▶ South Korea as a robust strong country should make value-oriented diplomacy consolidated by linking it with its grand strategy, leading it to be more polished and institutionalized. This linking process matters because it can offset the vulnerability of value-oriented diplomacy, which is that it could be changed even on slight changes in international situations and domestic political power.